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St. Nicholas Well — Killamery

Holy well
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St. Nicholas Well — Killamery
Photo: A.-K. D. · Open the original picture · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Report the wrong picture · If this is your picture and you want it taken down, email me.

Why this matters

St. Nicholas Well is associated with St. Nicholas of Myra, a widely venerated early Christian bishop known for acts of charity and miracles, and traditionally linked with protection, safe travel, and the care of children. Holy wells dedicated to him often feature rituals for healing and blessings, reflecting his enduring popularity in folk tradition.

What is recorded here

In the small valley between the two hills, the whole being encompassed by Killamery graveyard (KK030-008010-). The holy well is 13m S of the high cross (KK030-008004-) and c. 50m NW of the ruined medieval church (KK030-008003-). It is dedicated to St Nicholas whose feast day is celebrated on the 6th of December, the same date as the feast day of St Gobán Fionn who is attributed with founding a monastery here early in the 7th century (Carrigan 1905, vol. 4, 311-2). Of the monastic site only a high cross (KK030-008004-), two cross-slabs (KK030-008005-; KK030-008011-), a stone cross (KK030-008013-), the remains of a church (KK030-008003-) and two bullaun stones (KK030-008006-; KK030-008008-) are currently visible within the graveyard. The holy well (dims. 0.96m N-S; 0.66m E-W; D of water 0.2m) is defined by boulders, with a large round-topped upright boulder (H 1.2m; Wth 1.05m; T 0.53m) dominating the E side, which has been carved on the W face, forming a projecting triangular pediment over the carved rectangular entrance (Wth 0.53m; H 0.4m; D 0.34m) to the spring. According to Carrigan (ibid., 315), the pediment represents the hill of Calvary and was, or was intended to be, surmounted by a cross. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 2 August 2017
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